What lanes have to yield to an emergency vehicle?

Q: I was driving northbound on Lake City Way Northeast the other day (state Route 522) and an aid car was approaching southbound. I was in the far right lane – one of two southbound lanes next to a bus lane. But the car in front of me still stopped. I didn’t think that was required in our lane.

Could I get ticketed if I don’t stop for an emergency vehicle going the other direction two lanes away?

A: Yes, according to the State Patrol.

“Drivers both ways need to stop on an undivided highway regardless of the number of lanes,” Trooper Dan McDonald said.

When emergency vehicles approach making use of audible and visual signals or a police vehicle approaches making audible signal only, the drivers must yield the right-of-way.

(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

(2) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

People on the opposite side of the street are required to stop because emergency vehicles may need to go into the oncoming lanes if a vehicle in their own lane is not yielding properly.